Six individuals have been charged in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $80 million through government check fraud. The charges were announced by Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, and Harry T. Chavez, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI's New York Field Office.
The defendants—Shan Anand, Nosakhare Nobore, Nicholas Pappas, Leonard Ujkic, Solomon Aluko (also known as "D1 ReallyRich"), and Jorge Gonzalez—allegedly engaged in a scheme to acquire checks fraudulently and launder the proceeds. Many of these checks were COVID-19 relief funds that were stolen before being deposited into bank accounts opened under false pretenses or using fake identities. The group is accused of attempting to steal around $80 million and successfully depositing about $50 million.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stated: “We allege that the defendants stole tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief and other checks, and even used a ‘Fraud Bible’ containing instructions for committing fraud. This Office will not tolerate the exploitation of programs designed to support the public in times of crisis, and we and our law enforcement partners will hold those responsible to full account.”
FBI Acting Assistant Director Leslie R. Backschies commented: “These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses, stolen, and fake identities to operate a multi-year check fraud scheme, resulting in $50 million in illicit funds being deposited into their accounts. The defendants brazenly attempted to exploit multiple United States government programs in their attempts to illegally enrich themselves. The FBI will continue to ensure fraudsters attempting to lie, cheat, and steal from the Government answer for their crimes in the criminal justice system.”
IRS Special Agent Harry T. Chavis Jr. remarked: “This group of suspects openly communicated about their fraud, taking pride in the multiple schemes that stole nearly $50 million from the American public. They lied and cheated a benefits system meant to help struggling businesses that need it, all while stealing checks from agencies who assist the elderly and veterans."
According to allegations made in court documents from 2021 through 2025, these individuals collaborated on fraudulent activities involving fake or stolen identities for opening bank accounts where they deposited counterfeit or illicitly obtained checks. These included Treasury checks based on fraudulent filings related to COVID-19 relief credits like Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and Qualified Sick Leave Wages (QSLW) credit.
The defendants face several charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud which carries up to 30 years imprisonment; conspiracy to commit money laundering with up to 20 years; conspiracy against government defrauding carrying up ten years; plus aggravated identity theft with mandatory two-year sentencing.
Podolsky praised efforts by FBI & IRS-CI alongside contributions from U.S Postal Inspection Service & NYPD assisting investigations led by Complex Frauds Cybercrime Illicit Finance Money Laundering Units handled primarily by Assistant U.S Attorneys Maggie Lynaugh Steven J Kochevar Qais Ghafary ensuring thorough prosecution despite current indictment status presuming innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt within judicial process parameters defined statutorily without prejudgment assumptions pending adjudication outcome deliberations